Short & Sweet Review: Criss Cross by James Patterson

Title: Criss Cross

Author: James Patterson

Series: Alex Cross, #27

Published: November 2019, Little, Brown & Company

Format: Hardcover, 389 pages

Source: Personal copy

Summary: 

A killer with all the skills of a master detective has made Alex Cross the subject of his deranged “investigation.”

In
a Virginia penitentiary, Alex Cross and his partner, John Sampson,
witness the execution of a killer they helped convict. Hours later, they
are called to the scene of a copycat crime. A note signed “M” rests on
the corpse. “You messed up big time, Dr. Cross.” 

Was
an innocent man just put to death? Alex soon realizes he may have much
to answer for, as “M” lures the detective out of the capital to the
sites of multiple homicides, all marked with distressingly familiar
details — details that conjure up decades-old cases. Details that
conjure up Cross family secrets. Details that make clear that M is after
a prize so dear that — were the killer to attain it — Alex’s heart
would no longer have reason to beat.

***Short & Sweet Reviews are
short, quick reviews. These will mainly be used for series books where I
have already done full reviews on some of the earlier books or for
books that I feel will suffice with a quick review. These will not be
used for review requests or blog tours.

My thoughts: It is crazy that this series is still going strong at book 27. Yes there have been a few that I felt were not quite up to par, but this latest installment was one of the better ones. Not quite as good as the earlier ones, but I don’t think any will ever compare to those, but this one did come close and I did like it much better than the previous book. 

I loved the idea that this killer “M” could have ties to a previous killer Alex Cross put away. It brings back shades of the earlier books that I loved. Dangling the idea that mastermind Kyle Craig could be alive is just pure brilliant!

Of course, this one had all the usual trademarks that we’ve come to love in a James Patterson book – the breakneck speed, the short chapters that lead to that “just one more chapter” mentality, and a twisting, crazy plot that keeps you on your toes. I liked that Ali Cross, Alex’s son took a more central role in this book, but I think that’s because Patterson was setting things up for the new series – Ali Cross, his new middle grade series – which I am planning on reading as well. 

This book ended in such a way as to almost guarantee another book, but I guess we shall see. I would love another book…don’t get me wrong. I love this series and would love to see how it plays out with the Ali Cross series…are they going to be independent or will they play off each other? While I realize that not everyone is going to be reading the other series, you can bet I will…I just cannot get enough of Alex Cross or his family!!!

Books in this series: 

1. Along Came a Spider                    16.  Cross Country
2. Kiss the Girls                                   17.  Cross Fire
3. Jack and Jill                                    18. Kill Alex Cross
4. Cat and Mouse                               19.  Merry Christmas, Alex Cross
5. Pop Goes the Weasel                    20.  Alex Cross, Run
6. Roses are Red                                 21.  Cross My Heart
7. Violets are Blue                              22.  Hope to Die
8. Four Blind Mice                             23.  Cross Justice
9. The Big Bad Wolf                            24.  Cross the Line
10. London Bridges                              24.4  Cross Kill     
11. Mary Mary                                       24.5  Detective Cross
12. Cross                                                 25.  The People vs. Alex Cross
13. Double Cross                                   26.  Target: Alex Cross
14. I, Alex Cross                                    27.  Criss Cross
15. Alex Cross’s Trial